Tape spindle



1966 F. c. STEINBOCK TAPE SPINDLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 11, 1965 I N VEN TOR.

Zez'az/oc W BY mm! 1966 F. c. STEINBOCK 3,280,987

TAPE SPINDLE Filed March 11, 1965 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

p ld wein 100% BY mm 16%4 United States Patent 3,280,987 TAPE SPINDLE Fred C. Steinbock, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Kendall Company, Boston, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Mar. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 438,887 18 Claims. (Cl. 21159) This invention relates to a spindle for rolls and spools of tapes and the like and to a blank for forming such a spindle.

It is a prime object of this invention to provide an inexpensive spindle of light material which is sufliciently rigid to serve not only as a carrier unit for tapes and the like, but also as a dispensing unit and, in its preferred form, as a protective packaging therefor.

Principal features of this invention are that the spindle and blank from which the spindle is assembled comprise a pair of hingedly connected post portions of equal length having hingedly connected at their ends base members transversely extending beyond each side of the post portions a predetermined distance. Panel members are hingedly connected to opposite sides of the post portions and have tab members on the outer edges thereof. A single fold line only, parallel to the hinge line thereof, divides the panel member. Slots are provided in the post portions to receive the tab members. In an assembled condition the spindle is characterized in that the panel members folded in opposite directions with tabs extending through the slots, in section, comprise triangles to provide rigidity and strength. In the preferred embodiments of this invention, the triangles are like sized isosceles triangles with oppositely facing parallel bases, the tab members extending through the same slots to form with the center posts a symmetrical right angle cross of equal height and width.

Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof together with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the invention as used in a packing container;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a reduced isometric view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 partially assembled;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevation of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4 prior to assembly; and

FIG. 6 is a reduced isometric view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the invention.

With reference to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 5 thereof, a blank is provided preferably of corrugated cardboard. The blank is cut to have a post, generally designated 10, comprising a pair of post portions 12, 13 of equal length hingedly connected at transverse fold line 11. At the outer ends of the post portions 12, 13 are base members 14, 15 hingedly connected thereto by transverse fold lines parallel to the fold line 11.

The widths of the post portions 12, 13 are approximately equal to, or just slightly smaller than, the inner diameter of tape holding spools 36, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, to be placed thereon. The lengths of the post portions 12, 13 are greater than the total height of the spools 36. The base members 14, 15 extend transversely along the edges connected to the post portions 12, 13 beyond each side of the post portions 12, 13, preferably to a length equal to or slightly larger than the greater of the outer diameter of the spool 36 or tape 35. In their other dimensions the base members 14, 15 preferably extend one half the transverse length thereof.

In the alternate preferred embodiment of this invention, illustrated in FIG. 6, the base members 14a, 15a are each semi-circular in shape. In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 2-5, however, the base members 14, 15 are rectangular and are each provided at its opposite edges, on parallel fold lines, with hingedly connected wall panels 16, 18, 17, 19.

Hingedly connected along fold lines 27, 28 to opposite sides of the post portions 12, 13 are a pair of like sized panel members 29, 30 extending from adjacent said base members 14, 15 lengthwise a distance at least equal to the total height of the spools 36 to be mounted thereon, but preferably less than the length of the post portions 12, 13.

For minimizing wastage in cutting blanks, the total distance between the edges of the base members 14, 15, remote from the post portions 12, 13, to the inner edges of respectively adjacent panel members 30, 29 is no greater than the distance from such inner edges to the facing edges of respectively remote base members 15, 14. Using this arrangement, a series of blanks may be cut from a sheet of material with the panel members and wall members of one blank abutting the post portions of an adjacent blank and wastage may thereby virtually be eliminated.

The panel members 29, 30 are divided by fold lines 31, 32 extending in parallel relation to fold lines 27, 28. Tab members 33, 34 of like dimension are provided on the outer edges of panel members 29, 30 and have a reduced lengthwise dimension relative to that of the panel members 29, 30.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer portions of the panel members 29, 30 have a width, between fold lines 32, 31 and tab members 33, 34, equal to one half that of post portions 12, 13. Also in the preferred embodiment, the inner portions of the panel members 29, 30, between respective fold lines 27, 31 and 28, 32, have a width equal to the square root of twice the width of the outer portions squared, i.e.

A pair of matching slots 25, 26 are provided one in each of the post portions 12, 13. The term matching slots is intended to be understood to mean that the slots are of like dimension, of length equal to that of tab members 33, 34, extending in lengthwise alignment parallel to fold lines 27, 28, and positioned in transverse align ment with tab members 33, 34. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the slots 25, 26 are positioned equidistantly from the sides of the post portions 12, 13.

Finally, adjacent fold line 11, between the inner edges of panel members 29, 30, are provided a pair of matching openings 20, 21. Openings 20, 21 match in the sense that they are of like dimension and are aligned on the post portions 12,13.

The blank thus cut is formed into a spindle as is most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. The post portions 12, 13 are folded along line 11 to a face abutting position with base members 14, 15 at the bottom thereof. The base members 14, 15 are then folded outwardly away from each other to a common horizontal plane with their inner edges abutting. Wall panels 16, 18, 17, 19 are folded upwardly. The panel members 29, 30 are first folded along lines 27, 28 away from the vertical plane extending between the face abutting post portions 12, 13. The outer portions of the panel members 29, 30 are then folded inwardly toward the post portions 12, 13 and each tab member 33, 34 is positioned through both slots 25, 26 for locking therewith and with each other.

A spindle thus constructed, in section as shown in FIG. 3 results in a center post having a double isosceles triangular configuration wherein the bases of the triangles are parallel and oppositely faced and wherein the apexes form right angles adjacent the slots. In effect a symmetrical, right angle cross of equal length and width is formed which combined with the triangular configuration results in great strength and rigidity of the spindle structure. The wall members 16, 18, 17, 19 provide a protective barrier from adjacent stacks of tapes in packing containers. The openings 20, 21 form a convenient handle for lifting the spindle particularly when loaded as in FIG. 2 and when in a packing container as in FIG. 1.

The utility of the spindle for protectively packing spools and the like is greatly enhanced when combined with the cover member, generally designated 37 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The cover member 37 comprises a generally square cover portion 38 having slot 43 therein sized to just receive endwise the handle of post portions 12, 13.

Hingedly connected to each edge of the cover portion 38 is a preferably upstanding wall member 39, 40, 41, 42. When mounted on the handle of the spindle and packed in a container with like spindles and cover members, such a cover member protects the spools mounted on its spindle from the adjacent spindles.

It will thus be seen that this invention provides a highly desirable protective packaging for spools, tapes and the like as well as a convenient carrier and strong dispensing unit therefor. As other embodiments within the spirit and scope of this invention will occur to those skilled in the art, the foregoing description of preferred embodiments is in no way intended to limit the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A blank, for forming a spindle to hold rolls and spools of tapes and the like, comprising:

a pair of post portions of equal length hingedly connected on a transverse fold line;

a pair of base members, transversely extending beyond the sides of said post portions, and being hingedly connected, one to each of the ends of said post portions, along fold lines parallel to said transverse fold line;

a pair of panel members, hingedly connected on fold lines, each to one of said post portions on opposite sides thereof extending from adjacent said base members and being divided by only one fold line parallel to said sides;

tab members on each of the edges of said panel members parallel to said sides; and

matching slots in said post portions for receiving said tab members therethrough to form a center post for said spindle.

2. The blank claimed in claim 1 wherein the distance between the inner edge of each of said panel members and the edge, most remote from said center posts, of its adjacent base member is no greater than the distance between said inner edge and the facing edge of its most remote base member.

3. The blank claimed in claim 2 wherein one of said panel members is connected to each of said post portions.

4. The blank claimed in claim 1 wherein said panel member dividing fold lines are spaced a predetermined distance from said sides whereby the portion of said panel members remote from said sides will form right angles with said post portions with said tab members inserted through said matching slots.

5. The blank claimed in claim 4 wherein said matching slots are spaced equidj staptly from said sides.

.6. The blank claimed in claim 5 wherein the distance from said panel member dividing fold lines to said tab members (W0) is one half the distance between said sides and wherein the distance between said sides and their respective panel member dividing fold lines (Wi) is the square root of twice the former distance squared 7. The blank claimed in claim 6 in which the distance between said sides is approximately equal to but just smaller than the predetermined inner diameter of spools and the like to be placed thereon.

8. The blank claimed in claim 7 wherein each of said base members is provided at its opposite edges on parallel fold lines with hingedly connected wall panels.

9. The blank claimed in claim 8 wherein one of said panel members is connected to each of said post portions, and wherein the distance between the inner edge of said panel members and the edges, most remote from said center posts, of their respective adjacent base members is no greater than the distance between said inner edges and the facing edges of their respective most remote base members.

10. A spindle, to hold rolls and spools of tape and the like, comprising:

a pair of vertically extending, face abutting, post portions of equal length hingedly connected along a transverse fold line at one end thereof;

a pair of base members, in edge abutting relation in a common horizontal plane, transversely extending at their abutting edges beyond the sides of said post portions and being hingedly connected at said abutting edges, one to each of the other ends of said post portions, along fold lines parallel to said transverse fold line;

matching slots in said post portions;

a pair of panel members hingedly connected on fold .lines, each to one of said post portions on opposite sides thereof, extending from adjacent said base members, said panel members being folded at said hingedly connecting fold lines thereof, on opposite sides of the vertical plane of said face abutting post portions, to acute angles therewith and being folded on dividing fold lines, parallel to and remote from said sides, inwardly to abutting positions with said post portions adjacent said slots, together with said post portions, said panel members, in section, comprising triangles thereby forming a center post for said spindle; and

tab members, on each of the edges of said panel members parallel to said sides, inserted through said matching slots. I

11. The spindle claimed in claim 10 wherein said dividing fold lines are spaced a predetermined distance from said sides whereby the portion of said panel members abutting said post portions forms a right angle therewith.

12. The spindle claimed in claim 11 wherein said matching slots are spaced equidistantly from said sides.

13. The spindle claimed in claim 12 wherein the distance from said panelmember dividing fold lines to said 7 tab members (We) is one half the distance between said sides and wherein the distance between said sides and their respective panel member dividing fold lines (Wi) is the square root of twice the former distance squared (Wi= /2W0 14. The spindle claimed in claim 13 in which the distance between said sides is approximately equal to but just smaller than the predetermined inner diameter of spools and the like to be placed thereon.

15. The spindle claimed in claim 14 wherein each of said base members is provided at its opposite edges on parallel fold lines with hingedly connected wall panels extending vertically therefrom in like direction with said center post.

5 6 16. The spindle claimed in claim 15 wherein one of References Cited by the Examiner said panel members is connected to each of said post UNITED STATES PATENTS Pmmms' 1 344147 6/1920 Potter 229-14 17. The spindle claimed in claim 16 wherein said panel members are Spaced from said transverse fold line. 5 2895696 7/1959 Mertmhaler 248 158 18. The spindle claimed in claim 17 in combination FOREIGN PATENTS with a cover member comprising: a cover portion extend- 9455 58 7/ 1956 G ing in a horizontal plane, vertical Wall members extending 724,834 2/ 1955 Great Britain.

from the edges of said cover portion, and a slot in said cover portion receiving therethrough said post portion 10 CLAUDE LE Exammer' ends adjacent said transverse fold line. I. F. FOSS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BLANK, FOR FORMING A SPINDLE TO HOLD ROLLS AND SPOOLS OF TAPES AND THE LIKE, COMPRSING: A PAIR OF POST PORTIONS OF EQUAL LENGTH HINGEDLY CONNECTED ON A TRANSVERSE FOLD LINE; A PAIR OF BASE MEMBERS, TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING BEYOND THE SIDES OF SAID POST PORTIONS, AND BEING HINGEDLY CONNECTED, ONE TO EACH OF THE ENDS OF SAID POST PORTIONS, ALONG FOLD LINES PARALLEL TO SAID TRANSVERSE FOLD LINE; A PAIR OF PANEL MEMBERS, HINGEDLY CONNECTED ON FOLD LINES, EACH TO ONE OF SAID POST PORTIONS ON OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF EXTENDING FROM ADJACENT SAID BASE MEMBERS AND BEING DIVIDED BY ONLY ONE FOLD LINE PARALLEL TO SAID SIDES; TAB MEMBERS ON EACH OF THE EDGES OF SAID PANEL MEMBERS PARALLEL TO SAID SIDES; AND MATCHING SLOTS IN SAID POST PORTIONS FOR RECEIVING SAID TAB MEMBERS THERETHROUGH TO FORM A CENTER POST FOR SAID SPINDLE. 